Allure of the Sea

It was a year ago, while walking along Smugglers Beach at Coffs Harbour, N.S.W, that a strong desire to create a mermaid who expressed the colour, mystique and allure of the ocean sank into my mind.

Mostly my creations just happen. Materials on hand tend to dictate what emerges and it always is a surprise at the end of the journey just how and what has taken shape. This time the urge was to create a “real” mermaid and the challenge to honour this desire began. Of course trying to control did not give happy results and apart from an armature wrapped with wool roving the process stalled. At the same time I was also ill and that, too, took a long time to resolve. Perhaps finishing her is also a completion of the journey that needed to be undertaken to heal and renew.

After the initial burst of desire the project stalled lingering in a box till July2010. Part of my healing strategy was to take a regular beach walk. It was on one of these walks that a mermaid lay stretched out on the sand.  (She is featured in an earlier post titled Found). On the way back the sea was already claiming her. What a poke from the Muse! That night I pulled out the tangle of wool and wire. A face started to emerge from the fleece.

Mermaid found at Burleigh Beach

Instead of focusing on  how to make a beautiful sea creature I meditated on the sea and mermaid myths, wondering how and why. By letting go of the end result and flowing with the essence of the ocean I found that she ended up as much one imagines a mermaid to be. However, this mermaid has evoked from deep within me the love and fear we have of the ocean. Her creation has much enhanced my understanding and awareness of the concept that regards the ocean as being  the Great Mother, that vital creative essence which intially birthed all life. It also instilled a profound awareness of how this life-giving power of water can also destroy.

This particular piece was a long process that took many months to complete but the slow pace felt right. A poke here and there, time to gather the right textures and colours and work out how to mix it all together. A bit like the rhythm of the waves gently rolling in to shore and back out leaving behind treasures of the sea.

Shimmering emerald lame, overlaid with a fine gold tulle to represent scales, covers the tail. This little piece of lame was very special- a gift from my daughter that has a lot of love and sentiment woven into the fibres. Angelina fibre is used to make a top to give her skin a watery sheen.

Unfused Angelina fibres were placed in her merino silk hair to catch the light and give a hint of wetness and the ocean. Tiny pearls are caught up in her locks. Little glass beads form a necklace which has a tiny sea shell pendant. Glass beads also make a bracelet and are  incorporated in the seaweed tiara that frames her face.

It has amazed me that finally she is done and that she has she indeed has an expression of mystique and allure. That  questioning gaze I hope conveys to others a wonderment of life and the beauty of the sea.

Mermaid Mystique

Mermaid Mystique

Allura

Ready to go

The need to take a tally and de-clutter has been ongoing for a while but always left midstream when life presents other more important issues on which to focus time and effort. Discovered packed away were  far too many  projects that were long lost ideas.  Some with potential have been kept, but the rest have been passed on; as has a lot of fabric and other handcraft materials.

As a challenge to self the aim is to use what is on hand, to make up ideas that have simmered for too long and not  start on something new till the one begun is done. Although only early days managing to keep to this plan. Several new patterns have been created, tested and tweaked with a number of  items completed. However, the one that has delighted most resulted from a small scrap of hand dyed felt that was originally intended to become a treasure bird.

The scrap had two stripes, one  pink and the other a purple-blue. Not knowing exactly what to make but feeling the felt was too lovely to discard  I cut the stripes apart and wondered if it might possibly become a small  container.

The container turned into this after many hours of stitching and musing.

Who lives here?

This seems to be the best presentation that I can manage for now. Posting the pictures has been quite a challenge.The third one is of the interior of this little fairy house. Smoke is puffing out of the chimney so inside there had to be a fireplace. There is also tiny furniture- a bed, stools,  table and floor mat. On the wall is  a cupboard, a sequin mirror and  some pictures. All are made from felt and hand-stitched. Below side and back views.

Left side presenting

Till now I have resisted the urge to try my own version and become part of the fan team, but the other day a piece of cupcake looking felt fell out of the stash and an AHA! moment happened. I just had to try.  To make it I simply used a paper patty pan which I cut open on one side and  around the base, some scrap bits of felt, a little wool filling and whatever came to hand to embellish. I played, ahem, experimented.

Here they are. A lot of fun, possibly addictive and also useful as they could be used for pincushions or brooch cushions as well as playfood items.

Cupcake trio

If you add a little lavender when filling they could possibly act as a moth repellant.

Which came first?

Ironically this was the project I have been thinking of sharing when it was created last year as a swap. So the time to tackle my timidity re the computer arrived. How embarrassing!  Once I found a tutorial, asked some basic questions and followed the prompts  it was possible but incredibly time consuming. Isn’t that always the case with unfounded fears and over thinking?  Sometimes we just need a prod; so many heartfelt thanks to Mery for prodding.

MATERIALS:

This project only uses small amounts of felt and basic sewing skills.  

For the hen and egg

you will need a square of white felt around 8” or 20cm ,

Scraps of red felt  for the tongue, comb and wattle,

plus a very tiny scrap of  orange or yellow for the beak.

The chicken

needs 3in square or 8cm of yellow,

also teeny piece of orange felt for the beak and feet.

Eyes. 

I used black beads smaller for the chicken but if you are making for a very young child you may prefer to embroider or stitch on felt eyes.

Other bits :

Embroidery threads to match in white, red,orange  and yellow . I used two strands of embroidery thread and mainly blanket stitch. The  detail on the wing is a long straight stitch through both layers. The bead eyes I attach with a strong thread such as quilting thread or bead thread and make sure that they are well secured.

You will also need scissors, needles and pins plus a small amount of filling for the chick.

The egg sections were machine stitched, turned out and finished with a button and loop made by over sewing several strands of thread with buttonhole stitch pushed close together.You may want to use a novelty or plain button or even a hook and eye .

The Bits

TO BEGIN:

Cut out your shapes- this is what you will have.

HEN

1. Cut a small slit in one of the hen pieces, a little below halfway and centered. Make it just big enough to fit the tail through ( you can see this on the above photo as a purple line on one of the hen body shapes). Stitch on the tail ( I did this on the back), then on the right side fold the tail to cover the slash and catch it at the sides with a couple of tiny stitches ,or if you prefer whip stitch it to the body section.

Inserting tail piece for the hen

tail stitching detail

2. Place your beak and wattle on the hen. Pin the wattle onto the body piece so that it looks like an upside down heart and remove the beak for now. Stitch on the wattle, all around, with a small blanket stitch in matching thread.

Hen in Progress

Secret within

4.  Place the front and back of the hen together with the red comb placed at the top between the two pieces and blanket stitch together all around the sides. Leave the bottom open.

Joining body sections

5. I blanket stitched along the bottom edge to neaten, but this is up to personal preference.

Wings:

The wings are made from paired felt shapes. This makes them firm and allows a slight curve. Pin the wing to the body referring to the photo . Stitch the two shapes together till you reach the point where it joins the body and then only stitch though a single layer at a time. When the wing is attached make a long straight stitch through both layers from each small curve on the underside of the wing.This helps to give the wing a small curve to the front.

A wing thing

Attaching the wing

Your  hen egg- cosy or small puppet is finished and that was the “hard ” bit .

CHICKEN:

1. Onto one body piece place eyes and beak. It is easier to attach the beak first and then place the eyes. The beak is tiny and you may prefer to glue it on. I like to stitch, but again choose what best suits your style.

2. Sew the body together around the sides. There will be an opening at the base, cut a shape to fit after stuffing as the size of the opening changes . Stuff the body so that it becomes firm and egg-shaped, then tuck in the feet and  close.

from below

EGG

Pair the oval sections . Sew the two pairs together leaving a big enough opening to allow the chicken to be inserted. At one of side of the opening you may want to make a buttonloop and on the other sew on a button.

egg construction

Completion

You may choose to make the egg first so the chick fits in better – so which comes first is entirely up to you. ENJOY

All together

.henpattern  

Copyright.

The pattern  is given freely for personal use to make items to, donate, sell and gift; however  not to commercially mass produce . I would be pleased to be credited as the designer and thrilled to hear from you and see your results.Please do not  alter or sell the pattern.

Dreaming

Dreaming- and so it is. This is the first day of a new year,offering  new ventures and adventures to unfold.

This picture is actually of a polymer clay sculpt from 2010. Trying to make this little one was difficult and exciting.

I have much admired and wanted to explore images of babyhood as they engender unconditional love, innocence and complete peace. However, looking at this tiny creature, there is so much yet to learn and improve. After this project poly clay seemed to get packed away, life was  too busy plus working with felt had begun to take hold of heart and hand.

Today I once again need to use the polymer clay to complete a request. It is hot and humid, the clay is almost fluid. Working with it has not been easy nor, if I am honest, fun. I don’t enjoy sticky and find it frustrating that it so quickly distorts. But my imagination has soared and the potential of characters that could be created and the realms of fantasy that could take expression is quite delightful.  I am tempted to perhaps try again with some newer materials that have since evolved and could give better results.

What has also inspired greatly was reconnecting with Amanda Day, now Amanda  DeVirgilio, who  had originally introduced me to sculpting in polymer.  Amanda is not only talented but incredibly generous.  Her site is  http://www.dollmakersdream.com/ which has oodles of information and free tutorials for beginners and those who need some revision as I did. Actually I seem to have lost a greater part of the day in wonder and delight soaring on flights of fancy. Thank you Amanda.

The project that has led to this reverie and need for further information is now on a hold . The armatures are made and waiting but  shall need to find a stronger more reliable clay. Armed with new information now feeling more confident and less challenged. Itching to get to work on some fantasy figures, too; visions splendid indeed, though these will most likely be textile based.

My passion is for natural materials.  I never feel altogether safe or confident using the polyclay, though now most are said to be  pthalate free. I would like items I make  able to played with and held: for dolls to become companions and confidants,  naturescapes to trigger to curiosity and imagination. Clay is too fragile and brittle. Clay and porcelain dolls are lovely to inspire and to gaze upon with an important place as artistic expression, collectable and valuable rather than useable .

Revisiting has made me aware that my leaning is toward the more practical and educational aspects of art. Making and  sharing beauty using natural products engenders a love and care for nature and awareness of interconnection. Making for children constantly puts one in touch with the wonder of the world. As I write this I become aware that making dolls is an extension of self and perhaps more complicated and fragile art dolls allow us to explore more deeply to find the beauty and power of light and dark within that we so often deny and reject.

So I guess that part of my wish to be intensely creative and productive this year is now threatening to engulf and I need to step back, take a breath and have a cup of tea. The danger now is not lack of ideas but an oversupply and trying to complete one thing at a time. Focus, organisation, efficiency, planning, structure- all  words that an artistic temperament is not totally comfortable with and yet needs to accomplish goals. A day of dreaming needs a month or more of action at the very least.

Touching base today with fantasy has instigated a powerful surge of desire and inspiration needed to fuel creativity bringing to mind a quote by Carl Jung, who said that  ’without this playing with fantasy no creative work has ever come to birth”. Well Carl, I sure heeded your advice today and it was good!

White light Revealed

This photo of light becoming colour, radiating beauty I hope symbolises my wishes for peace, beauty and creativity in the New Year.

Recently I was asked about New Year  Resolutions. I hadn’t had time to give it much thought as we hurtled on to the end of 2011. The last fortnight was a whirl of preparation for the coming of two of my daughters, a time of joyful anticipation.

The time together passed in seconds, it seemed, and once my girls had left  the house was way too quiet and empty.

When the girls are here the house is buzzing. Lots of laughter and silliness, lots of chatter and wonderful shared moments. We  always manage to find time for an art or craft project. This time we made a Shortbread Star Tree – which not only looked pretty amazing, it was also very tasty. We found time to read, and time to play board games, explore a little, and go for a  swim. But best of all was the beauty of that  shared time and giving of ourselves to each other.

Now the house is almost quiet, apart from the ongoing  presence of the butcher bird family. They have two growing, ever-hungry babies that they have located near the front door. These now adolescent chicks keep up a constant squeeping;  (well that almost gets the sound). Hard to concentrate if one tunes in to the “feed me” chorus.

The resolution for this year that presented is this ;To live life fully, with compassion and from the heart. A wish that, I hope, will  influence my thoughts, actions and work in perpetuity. I would also hope that each day  will be greeted with wonder and gratitude.

When I was about to close the photo files this picture popped. A felt shell I made that is very like the crystal above in its colouring. How interesting to be reminded that at times we are unaware of what has remained in our consciousness waiting for expression.

"As above so below"and recognition.

Beach huts

Sometimes, well perhaps a lot, I paint. For many years, though less so now, I painted miniature houses on wood shapes . The huts depicted were inspired from trips to Victoria. These seemed  just right to share here at this time as it is summer holiday season. For many families in Australia Christmas and the beach are a family tradition as groups collect together for picnics or B-B-Q  with prawns and cold beer a popular choice on the menu.

What brought this particular project to mind was having to go to the coast on Christmas Day. A very joyful trip as my daughters were flying in and we made a slight detour to look at the sea, frothing and raging after a recent cyclone.  In spite of the dangerous surf the beaches were still busy. It had crossed my mind to plan a beach picnic but the weather was erratic and storms forecast so we played safe and decided to celebrate at home.

The task of decorating the tree for many years has been undertaken by my daughters, but this year it fell to me. To be honest a tad apprehensive as they have such skill. What happened this year is that, as I tentatively placed red and silver baubles on the tree, this act  became a linking to my European roots. On Christmas Eve, (1 a.m in this instance), the mother decorates the tree. The children then view it in wonder and delightful surprise, which is how it worked for us.

It has been a time enjoying simple pleasures such as cooking together, board games and reading, lots of laughter and memories. Before the girls leave we will visit the beach. Today everyone is adjusting to the humidity and heat, plus the busy  year has also impacted on everyone, so naps seem to be the priority. The blue sky is now heavy and grey with a storm building up.

So Christmas has come and gone, as always in a flash. Summer seems well entrenched, but it will pass all too quickly. I guess these little huts serve as reminders of summers past and summers to come.

Angel friends

Angel Blessings

Sea Sprite

It has been a little while since posting . Life seems to have been a frenzy as each day whizzes past. It is that time of year again.

Still lingering with the mermaids and finding different ways to explore their essence. One that has been ongoing for several months is a needlefelted version that has been put down and worked on at irregular moments. She seems not to want completion. Perhaps her story is yet to unfold fully. As an adult mermaid, and more of an art piece, this project has led me to  delve into the history, lore and myth that has fascinated many throughout time. Her story is that of the Ancient Goddess- one of her earliest forms connecting back to Sumeria and times before and beyond. Her names are many,such as Attargatis, Aphrodite, Stella Maris. Names that have permeated into many cultures and religious traditions, including Christian.  Soon she will be revealed.

But for now here is the latest version,with no other raison d’etre than to bring joy. I have just finished and sent away this little mermaid- a  cloth doll made for Meet Me At Mikes Mirabel Appeal.

This character was inspired by a small piece of batik which has been put aside  for several years waiting for a special purpose. A  sample square of beautiful hand -drawn and hand- dyed fabric. The design on it was comprised of fish and watery swirls, just  perfect for a mermaid”s tail. The size of the sample dictated the size and form of the doll. As some time has also elapsed since making cloth dolls  realised on completion that a lot of little things could have been done easier and better.  Hopefully she will be just right for her new owner and become a special friend.

Angels have been another focus through participating in a swap and this week three small angels winged away. Such a pleasure to work on but moreso to connect with other inspiring and wonderful women.

Photoes to come- they seem to have disappeared for now, the computer is on overload and largely taken up with the forthcoming edition of ECO newspaper  that Brian compiles from home.

Mermaid and Shell

This time sharing a  little mermaid project. The pattern comes from a squiggle made many years ago, now working on refining it.

These latest  mermaids are more in the Waldorf style with simple embroidered features. Another version appears in an older post, their features are sketched with pigma pen.  Those first mermaids frolic in a felt ocean and on a felt island. They are more of a nature table -story prop whereas these are intended to be play companions, and hopefully lead the imagination to amazing adventures and explorations.

To give the effect of a fish, scaley tail silver tulle was stitched onto the base felt.

These were a fun to create and a joyful contemplation giving an opportunity for quiet time to reflect whilst embellishing with hand stitching and beading.

Lately the sea has been a constant source of wonder and inspiration so it  was a natural consequence to delve a little into the world below,this is just a very small beginning as the ocean is vast and her wonders so many.

The shell keepers have also  been simmering

Hair and lots of it

for some years and it seems  needed the gorgeous rainbow felt dyed by Mia and Nikki to bring them from sketch to form. Here my interest in quilting and patchwork played a role to make them more dimensional.

As with other projects texture is an important aspect and these are meant to be touched. Their hair is composed of various fibres- feels very soft, begging to be stroked.Should the hair get tangled a simple matter to replace and/or enhance,even change completely.